Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United will both aim to end winless runs when they meet on Tuesday night in Northern Group E of the EFL Trophy.

The hosts are without a win in their last five matches heading into this clash, while the visitors have failed to win inside 90 minutes in their six outings.

Match preview

Since returning to League One with a third-placed League Two finish in 2020-21, Bolton Wanderers have consistently challenged for a playoff place and promotion to the Championship.

Bolton placed ninth in 2021-22, fifth in 2022-23 and third in 2023-24, but a slightly disappointing 2024-25 campaign saw the Trotters fall to eighth, 10 points outside the playoff spots.

Steven Schumacher, hired in January 2025, will be aiming to return Bolton to the top six this term, but just one win, four draws and one loss from their first six league fixtures leaves them 14th in the table.

The Trotters have also lost in the EFL Cup on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday after a 3-3 draw, meaning Bolton head into this clash having drawn all of their last five outings, including four consecutive 1-1 stalemates in League One.

Despite their lacklustre form, Bolton will fancy their chances of snapping their drawing streak with a win on Tuesday, as they come up against a struggling Rotherham United side.

Rotherham started their League One campaign with an encouraging 2-1 win against Port Vale, but the Millers have since failed to win inside 90 minutes in any of the following six games across all competitions.

Rotherham have lost four and drawn two of those matches, though they did win on penalties after a draw with Salford City in the EFL Cup first round, leaving them winless in six straight fixtures heading into Tuesday's game.

Matt Hamshaw, who has been in charge since March 2025, will be desperate for his side to end that streak on Tuesday, and his side will be looking to draw confidence from their five consecutive wins in this fixture.

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

Rotherham United form (all competitions):

Team News

Bolton may have struggled at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, but forward Mason Burstow has impressed in that period with three goals in seven appearances, and the striker should lead the line once again on Tuesday.

Amario Cozier-Duberry, Aaron Morley, Ibrahim Cissoko and Josh Sheehan are likely to also feature in midfield in attack, while Ethan Erhahon may drop out of the team after picking up an injury last time out.

As for the visitors, Sam Nombe remains a doubt for Rotherham due to an injury earlier this month, meaning Jordan Hugill could partner Martin Sherif in attack.

Further back the pitch, a back three of Zak Jules, Denzel Hall and Reece James is expected to start, with Cameron Dawson remaining between the sticks.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sharmon-Lowe; Dacres-Cogley, Toal, Johnston, Conway; Simons, Sheehan; Cozier-Duberry, Morley, Cissoko; Burstow

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:

Dawson; Rafferty, Jules, Hall, James, Martha; Powell, Yearwood, McWilliams; Hugill, Sherif

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Rotherham United

Bolton may have struggled in this fixture in recent meetings, while they are also without a win in their last five, but Rotherham are on a miserable run of form heading into this clash, leading us to expect a win for the hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.